Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown Live recap for June 19, 2018

General Manager Paige announces that "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles' opponent at Extreme Rules will be decided in the first-ever five-man Gauntlet Match on SmackDown Live between Big E, Rusev, The Miz, Samoa Joe, and Daniel Bryan.

Carmella shows up to start tonight's show. Carmella says that when she was younger, she had a lot of self-confidence issues and never felt she was special or "good enough." She became the author of her life, worked harder than everyone else and saw something beautiful in herself. WIth that, she became a champion. Carmella tells every girl and boy with self-confidence issues to look in a mirror and say to themselves "'Mella Is Money." She then says she never had any self-confidence issues and that she has moonwalked and trash talked since she was in diapers. Carmella tells everyone to just give up, as they can work twice as hard as her and only be half as good, then brags about how she became SmackDown Women's Champion and retained at Money In The Bank. She then goes on to say she beat Asuka all by herself, even though James Ellsworth helped out, then Asuka shows up. Asuka, however, is really James Ellsworth, who winks at Carmella and says nobody was ready for Ellsworth, especially Asuka. Ellsworth says that he is back in the WWE and back to serve "the greatest woman in history" in Carmella. He proceeds to put Carmella on a pedestal above the rest of the women in WWE's history as well as other female celebrities. All of a sudden, the real Asuka shows up, and Asuka kicks Ellsworth in the gut before Carmella answers with a superkick to Asuka's face. Carmella then escapes along with Ellsworth.

Before the next match, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) make fun of the fans before mocking Becky Lynch, saying she is a loser after Money In The Bank, that she will never amount to anything and she is better off as Charlotte Flair's "troll of a sidekick." Billie Kay tells Becky Lynch to keep living in the past, for her present is abysmal and the future is IIconic.

Becky Lynch beats Billie Kay after reversing an inside cradle into a Dis-Arm-Her.

We hear from Jeff Hardy, who talks about "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles' victory at Money In The Bank. He says that AJ Styles is able to move on from Shinsuke Nakamura, but he is not able to do so after being hit with a Kinshasa last week. He says that Nakamura's actions, instead of unsettling him, have sharpened his focus. He then turns around and reveals he is wearing facepaint and color contacts, and tells Nakamura he sees him.

Backstage, we hear from SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain), who are finally debuting in the next match. Eric Young says chaos has arrived before the three of them approach the ring.

Renee Young interviews Daniel Bryan, who will be the first man in the five-man Gauntlet Match. Daniel says he will not survive; he will win, as he has proven that size doesn't matter. Daniel Bryan considers Rusev, Big E and Samoa Joe three of the best Superstars on SmackDown Live, and says that Greatest Royal Rumble is a testament to his endurance, which he says will bring him to the WWE Championship. Daniel then takes the microphone and asks Renee Young if she thinks he is prepared. After saying that he is adequately prepared, Daniel asks again, and this time, she says "yes." Daniel then "yes"-es as he leaves.

Before the next match, The Usos says that every tag team in SmackDown Live is trying to prove themselves, and says that to make a name, you have to be show heart, be good and have a couple of screws loose. They then call out SAnitY (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain), who go on the warpath, ending the match before it can even happen.

Backstage, Luke Anderson shows off his abs, while The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) simply stare at the camera.

Renee Young interviews "The Artist" Shinsuke Nakamura, who asks how he lost when he is standing in front of Renee and says AJ Styles won because the referee counted too fast and not in Japanese. As for Jeff Hardy, his eyes may be open, but if he crosses him again, he will close them.

The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) retain the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Gallows & Anderson (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson). After the match, Daniel Bryan makes his way to the ring for the five-man Gauntlet Match, but is stopped and surrounded by The Bludgeon Brothers. Daniel Bryan then steps aside and heads to the ring.

Rusev beats Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe, Big E and The Miz in a five-man Gauntlet Match to become the #1 contender to the WWE Championship at Extreme Rules with an Accolade to The Miz. After Daniel Bryan eliminated Samoa Joe by count-out after using the barricade to get over Joe, The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper and Rowan) double-team Daniel Bryan, allowing The Miz to pick the bones with a Skull Crushing Finale to eliminate Daniel Bryan. After the match, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles shows up and lays the WWE Championship between himself and Rusev. Styles and Rusev then shake hands, then Aiden English asks for a handshake. He pulls his hand back and gets slapped by Styles for it.

Here's the top 10 moments from tonight's show!